Watch modification or modding
offers anyone the chance to build, rebuild and create the watch or timepiece of
one's dreams. Several watch brands, big or otherwise, give watch collectors and
tinkerers the option of modification — letting them personalize their
horological investments. With the right watch or timepiece, you can customize
different parts (the case, straps, and other parts) to suit your tastes. As a
result, everyone, from budding enthusiasts to experienced horologists, finds
themselves drawn to watch modding's modern art. Maybe it's because of the sense
that one can change a watch to fit one's likes and personality, or maybe it is
because they want to fashion a uniquely different piece that nobody else has.
Regardless of the reason for deciding to dive into watch modding, there's no
denying that it's an excellent and educational hobby that can be incredibly fun
and rewarding for you! Now, suppose this
is your first foray into the world of watch customization. In that case, the
whole process might seem unbelievably complicated and time-consuming, but by
just trusting the process, you might find it to be the opposite.
Building (or Modding) Your Watch: What To Know
Watch modding offers a chance
for you to reconstruct and customize a watch according to your personal
preferences. Although one can buy a quality watch or timepiece out in the
market, modding allows one to personalize their constant time-telling companion
to match one's persona and style sensibilities. So, if you wish to mod a watch for
the first (or second) time, what else do you need to know? Perhaps how else can
you change up your chosen watch or timepiece? You got it (and more)!
A Total Overhaul
This kind of watch modding is the equivalent of performing surgery on your watch or timepiece. To create a totally distinct horological mix of personal style and elegance, a total overhaul of your chosen watch or timepiece involves combining different parts from other brands or models (or parts inspired by them). Imagine "Frankensteining" a Casio with the dials and straps of a Rolex or building a Seiko 5 Sports that looks like a Rolex Submariner. Progressive watch brands like Seiko stand out in this watch mod aspect — you can easily find watch parts for your unique mod jobs. Feel free to create your unique watch or timepiece that is distinctly you. Your imagination should have no limits.
An Understated Edit
A subtler kind of modification
that leans more on incorporating classic styles for your watch or timepiece.
Understated edits could simply involve a change of color to a watch, or
changing bezels and crystals could be all that you need to scratch your design
itch. Subtle modifications can be enough to make your watch or timepiece
strikingly yours - indicative of not just the watch but you as the individual
who wears it. For example, changing up your watch hands' colors can affect how
you plan your outfits to give you more of a sense of uniformity and symmetry.
If you intend to modify your watches and timepieces yourself, check online
forums for popular modding styles, the right tools, and techniques to utilize.
Experiment, focus on progress, and never forget proper care!
Watch modding opens the door to several possibilities for changing a watch's look. It also opens the door for overall performance improvement by modding internal parts. Any watch enthusiast should try modding watches or timepieces at least once. One can never learn new skills or see marked improvements in their watches' aesthetics and performance if they won't try (and fail at times). Since watch modding is about stylishly changing some or most parts of a watch to fit one's sensibilities, it's best to change its aesthetics or performance based on the parts that are easy for you to get or are readily available.
Modifying or building watches
and timepieces becomes more costly the more complex your mod jobs become.
Experiment with cheaper materials and tools, then upgrade your arsenal as you
gain more experience while progressing. Take it one step at a time! And
remember, modded watches still need regular maintenance, perhaps even more so
than regular watches depending on the mod job. So simple cleaning sessions
won't cut it. Sometimes, certain things are better left to the experts.
Author’s Bio:
Luther Abrams is quite
a jack of all trades type of guy. He loves exploring new things and cultivating
his knowledge every now and then. Today, he grows more and more interested in
jewelry and watches and even writes about such things in his free time.
